SRINAGAR : Gulmarg is set to become a major winter sports destination, as Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, unveiled plans to turn the scenic town into a sporting powerhouse on Wednesday.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the fifth Khelo India Winter Games at Gulmarg Golf Club, Dr. Mandaviya highlighted the governmentโs commitment to developing winter sports.
The event was attended by Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, along with State Sports Minister Satish Sharma and other dignitaries.
Vision for Sports Development
โIndia is brimming with talent, and we need to nurture it from the ages of 9 to 24. To achieve this, we aim to establish a sports school in every district, where raw talent will be identified and then trained at National Centres of Excellence across the country.
This will equip young athletes with the skills and resources to compete at national and international levels,โ said Dr. Mandaviya.
He also commended Jammu & Kashmir for running one of the best coaching enhancement programs in the country and urged other states to adopt J&Kโs model.
โThe Indian government is dedicated to uplifting sports nationwide, and under Prime Minister Narendra Modiโs leadership, every effort will be made to elevate Jammu & Kashmirโs sporting standards.
Our plan is to make Gulmarg the hub of winter sports, providing top-tier infrastructure and opportunities for the regionโs youth,โ he added.
Dr. Mandaviya further revealed that he had engaged with sports ministers from 28 states and 8 Union Territories, along with senior officials from National Sports Federations, to draft a roadmap for Indiaโs bid to host the 2036 Summer Olympics.
Roadmap for 2036 Olympics
โTo host the 2036 Olympic Games, India must build a strong sports framework and ecosystem. Setting a goal without a structured pathway wonโt work.
We recently held a three-day brainstorming session in Hyderabad with sports ministers, federation officials, elite athletes, and experts.
Based on their inputs, we have mapped out a comprehensive 10-year plan to develop sports at all levels,โ he said.
Dr. Mandaviya also praised Gulmarg, describing it as not just the โmeadow of flowersโ but Indiaโs premier winter sports city.
โI have visited several international skiing destinations, and I can confidently say that Gulmarg is among the best in the world. We need to maximize its potential to elevate it further,โ he remarked.
Indian Army Dominates Khelo India Winter Games 2025
The Indian Army emerged as the overall champion of the 2025 Khelo India Winter Games, securing 18 medals, including 7 gold, 5 silver, and 6 bronze.
Himachal Pradesh finished as the runner-up with 6 gold, 5 silver, and 7 bronze medals, while the Union Territory of Ladakh took third place with 4 gold, 2 silver, and 1 bronze.
Himachal Pradesh put up a strong fight on the final day, clinching gold in the womenโs relay event of ski mountaineering.
However, they fell short of overtaking the Indian Army, who retained their title by securing one extra gold medal.
Their victory was fueled by an exposure tour to the Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China, which significantly boosted their confidence.
Additionally, their familiarity with Gulmargโs extreme weather conditionsโcharacterized by heavy snowfall, freezing winds, avalanche threats, and low visibilityโproved to be an advantage.
The Indian Army dominated the Nordic skiing events, while the Indo-Tibetan Border Police shined in the womenโs category of the same discipline.
Among the standout performers were Rajeshwar Singh (2 gold, 1 silver in ski mountaineering), Kusum Rana (2 gold, 1 bronze in womenโs Nordic skiing), Sunny Singh (1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze in menโs Nordic skiing), and Siddharth Gadekar (1 gold, 1 silver in ski mountaineering).
Surprise Medalists from Non-Winter Sports States
This yearโs edition also saw impressive performances from states without natural winter sports terrain.
Maharashtra secured 13 medals, while Tamil Nadu bagged 5โevidence of the central governmentโs efforts to popularize winter sports across India.
In the previous edition, the Indian Army topped the medal tally with 10 gold, edging out Karnataka, who finished second, and Maharashtra, who placed third.
Final Day Results
Ski Mountaineering โ Womenโs Relay:
โข Gold: Himachal Pradesh (Natasha Mahar, Saijal Thakur, Tenzin Dolma, Sakshi Thakur)
โข Silver: CRPF (Sejal Ben, Renu Danu, Makwana Hiral Ben, Preeti)
โข Bronze: Jammu & Kashmir (Mehak Mushtaq, Shaziya Hassan, Inayat Farooq, Yasmeena Sajjad)
Final Medal Tally
1. Indian Army โ 18 medals (7 gold, 5 silver, 6 bronze)
2. Himachal Pradesh โ 18 medals (6 gold, 5 silver, 7 bronze)
3. UT of Ladakh โ 7 medals (4 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze)
4. Maharashtra โ 13 medals (3 gold, 5 silver, 5 bronze)
5. Tamil Nadu โ 5 medals (3 gold, 2 silver)
Khelo India Winter Games: A Growing Sporting Platform
Organized under the Khelo India initiative by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Winter Games provide a national platform for emerging athletes.
The event features various competitions, including the Khelo India Youth Games, University Games, and Para Games.
Since its inception in 2020, four successful editions of the Khelo India Winter Games have been held, with participation from 36 states and Union Territories.
The 2025 edition is divided into two phases: the first was hosted in Ladakh from January 23-27, while Jammu & Kashmir is staging the final leg from March 9-12.
Beyond sports, the Khelo India Winter Games also serve as a cultural and tourism showcase, highlighting the rich heritage of the host regions while fostering athletic excellence.
